“Having a relationship with an animal is no different than your human relationships,” Galaxy said. “This is about trying to get humans to that place of understanding.”

On June 22, Galaxy will bring his strategies for cat-human coexistence to the Kauai for the first time in an event hosted by Kauai Humane Society.

“Jackson brings a unique mix of entertainment, knowledge and compassion, which the community is really excited about,” said Scott Pisani, KHS executive director. “We are excited to be able to bring someone of the caliber of Jackson Galaxy to our community.”

Galaxy’s passion for cats was also a key part of why the KHS board of directors decided to bring him to Kauai.

“We hope that by bringing him here we can provide a renewed focus on felines in our community,” Pisani said. “We want to give Jackson the opportunity to meet with our staff and share our mutual passion toward cat welfare and rehabilitation.”

The Los Angeles cat behaviorist has more than 20 years of animal welfare experience, is a two-time New York Times best-selling author, and just started filming a new show in addition to his current Animal Planet gig.

He also heads the Jackson Galaxy Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2014 to aid animals in shelters and their caretakers, and plans to release a new book in the fall.

“That book is everything I know about cats in one place,” Galaxy said.

Cats can be a mystery because the animals don’t work to be understood by humans the way dogs do, Galaxy explained. Demystifying the species is the first step to peaceful coexistence.

“We get a leg up with dogs because we innately recognize their behavior, we built them to mimic behaviors that we recognize,” Galaxy said.

Humans didn’t do that as much with cats.

“Cats have been along for the ride this entire time. We’ve never changed them,” Galaxy said. “So my job is to get the humans and the cats to meet in the middle.”

Galaxy is an actor and musician who turned in his Fender for felines in the 1990s after working for about a year at an animal shelter and realizing he was gifted with understanding cats.

“Honestly when I started working at the animal shelter, I had cats in my life, but I wasn’t a cat person. I didn’t seek out the cats,” Galaxy said. “It was more what they saw in me.”

Cats started showing up wherever Galaxy happened to be, he said, and it didn’t take long for him to earn the nickname, “Cat Boy.”

Now, Galaxy is known as America’s Cat Daddy and he brings his fresh take on pet stewardship to shelters and seminars worldwide. He says his job is to show humans how to understand cats and to help cats find their mojo.

But when Galaxy was still working in the shelter, part of his job was euthanizing cats, and his connection with the animals spurred him to advocate for them, hoping to save as many as he could.

“The appreciation for them and empathy for them grew naturally from that environment,” he said.

He came to the decision on a stormy night during a shift at the animal shelter, when 45 cats were loudly protesting the weather.

He calmed them in less than an hour by using a blinking technique that established a bond with the cats.

“That experience of having 45 cats in a room and getting them to chill, it was a wake-up moment,” Galaxy said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I’m not going to be a famous musician after all; I guess this must be why I’m here.’”

He’s looking forward to visiting Kauai Humane Society when he arrives on island.

“I’m fortunate enough to have a global perspective,” Galaxy said. “One of the things that floats my boat is bringing my expertise to shelter environments.”

Pisani said he’ll be meeting with Galaxy “to hear his thoughts on the strategies we can employ on our island to improve the lives of the felines who reside here.”

During Galaxy’s Kauai seminar, he will help solve specific problems that people have with their cats, but will also explain how to develop a relationship for the continued happiness of both humans and cats.

“You’ll come away knowing that this is a relationship that can work for both of you and you both can be very happy,” Galaxy said.

Tickets are available at kauaihumane.org and are $15 for KHS members, $30 for general admission. Admission for kids ages 6 and under is free.

VIP tickets are available for $150 and secure include preferred seating and an opportunity to meet Jackson Galaxy.

The seminar begins at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall at 5:30 p.m. June 22.

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1 week agoby kauaihumanesocietyThe annual 2018 Gala “Paws for Celebration” is September 22rd (Saturday) at the @kauaimarriott Resort. The event will be held in the Main Ballroom at 5:30pm. Come join us for a night to remember. A fresh dinner buffet and entertainment are included. Come bid in the live and silent auctions. If you have plans to be on Kauai then, we would love to have you! Bring your friends and family! To sponsor a table or two or underwrite a piece for the event. Contact Laura by email, laura @kauaihumane .org or (808)632-0610, ext. 108. All proceeds go to help the animals of

6 days agoby kauaihumanesocietyWhy are you dressed up KAIKEA? “Because I heard the “Paws for Celebration” Annual Fundraiser Dinner is happening Saturday, September 22nd from 5:30pm-9pm at Kauai Marriott Resort and I want to look my best for the date!” Don’t you want to find a FURever Home before that? “YES!!! That would be a PURRfect reason for my paws to celebrate!! I will be at the shelter at 11am today. Let’s make it my “Gotcha Date”. In the meowtime, people should go to our website to buy their tickets now!” You sure are smart beyond your kitten months! To purchase tickets go

5 days agoby kauaihumanesociety“I am CAT KONG! The “King” of my CATio at the shelter. If I could make gorilla fists, I’d pound my chest with fervor as I hold my hammock fort down. Instead, I will do something far more “king-like” and wear my best royal attire (it’s a stately wardrobe that has grown on me) and summon my two catio kingdom mates to join me in a good ole fashion party. A people’s king always entertains and since I AM the life of the party, I am sure to rule hearts. But I just need one. Will it be yours? At

1 day agoby kauaihumanesocietyWe’re the new guys at KHS. We were lucky to get a spot at the shelter because the A.L.O.H.A. Transfer Program transferred out 17 dogs earlier this month which opened space for us. We now have a bed and are available for adoption! . . . For only ONE more week, until 8/20, your donation to the A.L.O.H.A. Transfer Program is matched dollar for dollar. That means double the number of homeless, unwanted and scared dogs like us getting beds in a kennel when two dogs or four puppies are transferred instead of just one and two! Exciting opportunity to

2 hours agoby kauaihumanesocietyLast month, Kaua’i Humane Society was the chosen “Rescue of the Month” for @happypuphappylife Just Pet Products - Handmade Climbing Rope Leashes & Collars out of California. . The result of that promotion was a box filled with 34 new leashes donated to help the shelter animals of Kaua’i! Our dogs even received a bonus surprise of squeaky balls to play with during play yard time! . . Thank you @happypuphappylife for your continued support! We are honored to be one of your advocated rescues. . Thank you to EVERYONE who purchased a leash or collar from @happypuphappylife in the